PLANT OIL
Macadamia Seed Oil
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
A smooth, light oil pressed from macadamia nuts, unusually rich in palmitoleic acid as well as oleic acid, used to help skin and hair feel soft, smooth and conditioned.
Source
The nuts of the macadamia tree (Macadamia integrifolia)
Used for
Softness and smooth glide, dry skin
How it works
Rich in palmitoleic acid.
Macadamia oil is pressed from the nuts of Macadamia integrifolia, a tree native to subtropical eastern Australia. The nuts are very rich in oil, which is obtained by gentle pressing.
The oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids: mainly oleic acid, and an unusually large share of palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid that is also part of the skin's own lipids. It also contains natural polyphenols and squalene, which are linked to its antioxidant capacity in laboratory tests.
In cosmetics its listed function is skin conditioning. It brings a smooth, cushioned glide to creams, body oils and roll-on formulas, and is used in hair care for softness and a smooth feel.
The oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids: mainly oleic acid, and an unusually large share of palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid that is also part of the skin's own lipids. It also contains natural polyphenols and squalene, which are linked to its antioxidant capacity in laboratory tests.
In cosmetics its listed function is skin conditioning. It brings a smooth, cushioned glide to creams, body oils and roll-on formulas, and is used in hair care for softness and a smooth feel.
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01
Helps skin feel soft, smooth and conditioned
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02
Rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids
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03
A smooth, cushioned glide in skin and hair care
Questions
What makes macadamia oil different from other plant oils?
Its fatty acid profile. Alongside oleic acid, macadamia oil carries a notably high share of palmitoleic acid, which is also a component of the skin's own lipids. (Shuai et al., 2021; COSMILE Europe)
Is macadamia oil from a nut?
Yes. It is the fixed oil obtained from the nuts of the macadamia tree, so if you have a tree nut allergy it is worth checking ingredient lists for Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil. (CosIng; COSMILE Europe)
Is macadamia oil good for hair?
It is used in both skin and hair care. As a skin conditioning oil it adds softness, and it is a popular choice in hair products for dry, brittle-feeling lengths and ends. (COSMILE Europe)
About the plant
The macadamia tree belongs to the protea family (Proteaceae) and is native to subtropical eastern Australia. Its nuts are very rich in oil, which is obtained by gentle pressing. (COSMILE Europe; CosIng)
A comparison of oils from fifteen macadamia cultivars found all of them rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic and palmitoleic acids, with polyphenols and squalene contributing to their antioxidant capacity. (Shuai et al., 2021)
A comparison of oils from fifteen macadamia cultivars found all of them rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic and palmitoleic acids, with polyphenols and squalene contributing to their antioxidant capacity. (Shuai et al., 2021)
Good to know
Macadamia oil comes from a tree nut, so if you have a tree nut allergy, check with your doctor or allergy specialist before using it.
The research
- Shuai X, Dai T, Chen M, Liang R, Du L, Chen J, Liu C. Comparative Study of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Capacities of Oils Obtained from 15 Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) Cultivars in China. Foods. 2021;10(5):1031. PMID: 34068556. (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil (plant: macadamia nut, Queensland nut; part: seeds (kernels); fat or oil; function: skin conditioning; used in skin and hair care) (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission CosIng database: Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, the fixed oil obtained from the nuts of Macadamia integrifolia, Proteaceae (function: skin conditioning) (opens in a new tab)
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